How Much Is Danfo Bus In Nigeria?

Practically 98% of Lagosians or those who visit Lagos have had to experience the Danfo at one point. Danfo is the common and most known means of transportation across Lagos. The use and services of Danfo buses are not restricted to only a certain area in Lagos, it moves through all the areas in Lagos. 

The birth name of the popular Danfo buses we find today in Nigeria is Volkswagen T3, but it’s given a different name in various countries. In America, the bus is referred to as “Vanagon,” in Europe, it’s known as “Transporter/Caravelle,” in Australia, it’s known as “Kombi,” and in Nigeria, the bus is known as “Danfo.” 

The Danfo, a German manufacturing company product, was produced between 1979 and 2002. To date, the Danfo bus is still the strongest commercial vehicle you’ll find in Lagos. 

The Journey Of Phasing Out The Danfo Buses In Lagos

Over the years, several Lagos State Governors have failed to phase off the Danfo bus. In 2017, the then Governor of Lagos State, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, lamented about the surge of Danfo buses in the city, saying, 

“When I wake up in the morning and see all these yellow buses…and then we claim we are a megacity, that is not true, and we must acknowledge that it is a faulty connectivity that we are running. Having accepted that, we have to look for a solution and that is why we want to banish yellow buses.”

Substitutes for the Danfo buses were brought: the Lagos rail system and the Lagos BRT system. While they’ve all been successful over the years, the Danfo remains a leading means of transportation across Lagos.

Basically, in Lagos, there will always be Danfo buses. It’s simply because the state has an enormous population, which keeps all these buses in business and busy at all times. This has also impacted the prices of Danfo buses. Although over 20 years old, the buses are still in high demand and have a decent market value in Lagos. 

Price Of Danfo Buses In Nigeria

The Danfo buses are less expensive than other vehicles in Nigeria. However, the buses are still a bit pricey, considering how old they are. The price of a tokunbo Danfo bus in Lagos is between ₦‎2,600,000 to ₦‎3,500,000.

Why The Danfo Bus Is The Best Way To Get Around Lagos

One of the first things anyone realizes when they enter Lagos is that thousands of Danfo buses are in the state. The next thing you realize is that transportation is expensive in Lagos state. As such, despite the ills of the Danfo buses, Lagosians have developed a love-hate relationship with which makes it indispensable. Here is why it’s the best way to get around Lagos.

• Danfo buses are cheaper compared to other means of transportation within Lagos
• They are easily accessible compared to other modes of transportation in the state
• The buses are everywhere, so you will always find a bus or a connecting bus to your location
• Danfo buses are allowed to move through all the major roads in Lagos
• There’s always a Danfo bus stop around anywhere you go in Lagos

Conclusion

The Danfo bus has created an entire income stream for many Lagosians. As such, many who are unemployed are moving towards owning and using Danfo buses for commercial services. This is another factor that impacts the cost of Danfo buses in the market.